Page 21 of Shattered Rhythm

“Yes, sir,” I murmur just as silently, looking him in the eyes.

His gaze darts down to my lips and then up to my eyes again before he steps back.

“Good, drive safely,” he says, then walks into his office.

“Girl, you are in way over your head,” Chris says with a chuckle, and I groan.

“I know. They are all over me today, and my head is spinning.”

She laughs. “Good thing I’m more interested in your ass than theirs, or I’d be jealous.”

“Believe me, if I were to play on the other team, you’d be my first choice,” I say, smiling.

“Aww, now I’m sad,” she jokes.

“Don’t be. Hey, would you like to hang out sometime? I’m going shopping tomorrow and treating myself to some ice cream. Want to join?”

“Sure thing. I work until two, but afterwards, I’m free. You seem in desperate need for some girl talk.”

I laugh. “You have no idea.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Olivia

The door to the courthouse opens, the outside light blinding me. My legal team and Frank, our manager, are flanking me while I try to limp out gracefully on my crutches. The verdict has just been delivered, and Liam has been ruled not guilty for the murder of my family by reason of insanity. I should feel relieved that it’s over, but I’m just broken. Pleading insanity was a last-ditch effort to affect the verdict, and it worked. It feels like he’s getting away with a slap on the wrist for taking my entire life away from me.

The media has been relentless throughout the trial, and I know that they won’t let up now.As soon as we step outside, a group of journalists surrounds me, while cameras and microphones get shoved in my face.

“Olivia, how do you feel about the verdict? Are you satisfied with the outcome?”

“Olivia, can you tell us about your relationship with Liam? Did you ever suspect that he was capable of this?”

“Olivia, do you have any regrets about not speaking up sooner? Could you have prevented this tragedy?”

The questions come at me from all angles, and I feel like I’m suffocating under the weight of the cameras and the bright lights. I know these journalists are pro Liam, and that they’re trying to make me look like the bad one in this tragedy or at least an accomplice to his crimes.I try to keep my composure, but it’s difficult when I can feel the tears welling up behind my eyes.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for me,” I say, my voice is shaking slightly. “I would appreciate it if you could respect my privacy.”

Only the journalists keep shouting questions at me, not giving me a moment’s rest. My legal team tries to shield me, but it’s no use. I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of reporters.

Finally, Frank steps forward, his face contorted with anger.

“That’s enough,” he says firmly. “We’re done here.”He ushers me away from the throng of journalists as fast as I can manage on my crutches, his hand firm on my shoulder, and I’m so grateful for his support. As we make our way to the waiting car, I can still hear the shouts of the journalists behind me, but they’re growing fainter by the second.I take a deep breath as I settle into the car. The trial may be over, but I know that the aftermath will be just as difficult.

* * *

Liv

I wake up sobbing loudly, the remnants of the nightmare still fresh in my mind. If I had known how bad it was going to get after the trial ended, I think I would have disappeared then. Except if I’m being honest, probably not. I wasn’t in the right headspace or healthy enough to make that step yet.

God, my life is so fucked up.

I sit in bed with my head in my hands crying, when there is a hesitant knock on my door. I glance at the clock and see that it’s two-thirty. Fuck, I ruined Gunner’s sleep again.

I get to the door but pause, looking down myself to check my appearance. I’m wearing a T-shirt and long sleep pants, so I grab a sweater from the floor and pull it over my head before finally opening the door. Gunner is standing there in his suit, looking like he just came home from work.

“Livy.” He says my name with so much compassion in his voice, looking at me intently with sad eyes.

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